300sdl engine out - what do I replace?
 

My '86 SDL broke last winter while my wife was driving it. Apparently got starved for oil. The starter would barely turn it over and there was a REALLY loud screeching sound as it did turn (very slowly). Long story short, I have a replacement sitting in the garage. The head has been updated to a used #17, I will be separating the tranny from it and reattaching the one from the existing car.

ON the engine, I am planning on timing chain rails, rear main seal, tranny pump seal (the tranny leaks). I am really leaning toward a new oil pump, but I they are relatively expensive. Do they wear out, or does something else happen to stop them pumping? Is there a way to judge the condition of engine and tranny mounts or do I just go ahead and do them as a matter of course?

As long as the engine is out of the way I will do some front end component replacement. The boots on the tie rods as well as upper and lower ball joints are all bad - they will all be replaced (the joints, not the boots). What about the guide rods? I see some rubber bits on them too.
As per usual, thanks for all your insight, Andy

If the tranny leaks at the front seal, it's probably because the bushing in the front pump is worn. It supports the backside of the torque converter. I would replace that bushing - it's about $10, and you'll need to replace the front pump gasket too. If you don't, your new seal will probably start leaking pretty fast.

replacing all timing chain rails requires R&R the front timing cover. As long as you have the timing chain out you may as well replace w/ a new one and be done with that for another 200K+ miles :)
A new water pump maybe if the old one looks crummy (it has to come off to get the timing cover off) and a new belt tensioner would be recommended.
If the vac pump on the engine doesn't have 4 torque head bolts on the cover by all means get the new version which will not come apart like the old ones and destroy the engine.
I would keep the existing oil pump, they are very long lived. Some say to replace the chain that drives it however, I didn't on my 603 rebuild.

Vac pump is the newer type, I am set there. From advice thus far, it would be better to spend the $ on a new timing chain and leave the oil pump alone, right?
new water pump is a good idea, I had not even thought about that.
Thanks for the tip on the bushing at the transmission. -Andy